DRAGONJULS Storybook
Disclaimer and Acknowledgements:See Part One
Part 3
Chapter Six:
Jace watched in wonder and with the largest smile plastered over her face as the four people who had become for her the mainstay of her life appeared into view from the paddock area.
Catherine was laughing at something the redheaded girl was saying to her, as she pulled the tall raven-haired woman along by the hand. Jake as walking much slower behind them with his hands held by Elena, who had managed to get on her feet and stay there by some miracle or at least with help anyway. Their eight-month-old daughter was becoming a handful, but Jake had the measure of the little one and appeared to take his role of older brother very seriously. Jace saw her daughter smile at the dark boy, as he smiled back genuinely, it was a definite bonus the way their relationship was turning. Elena was alarmingly into every possible situation that could cause her parent's anguish, and it had, especially, now that Catherine could actually see what the child was getting into. If Jace could have a dollar for every time Catherine had turned pale at the situations their youngest daughter attempted to indulge in, she would be a very rich woman. Catherine was so protective, obsessively so, at times!
Jace saw Catherine turn towards their son and youngest daughter; she saw the tender smile that flashed across the often-stoic expressive features. 'God, I love you Catherine!' Everyday that the young woman woke up beside the raven haired woman, or woke up being held in the strong arms of her lover, Jace never failed to send up a silent pray that she had been given the chance, to rescue her relationship with the very private, loving and incredibly, gorgeous woman. The raven-haired beauty had allowed her inside again and enabled all those broken bridges to be repaired. If Jace knew one thing about her life with Catherine, it was that at no time would it ever be dull, no way, no how!
She knew her family and at the stances of them on the path strolling towards the house, where Jace was sitting in a chair watching and waiting for them to return. Jace also knew, they were plotting something, as it was only a week before Christmas; inevitably, it had something to do with that! Catherine was such a child when the mere word Christmas was mentioned; she gave one of her most beguiling smiles and went around with a beam on her face for several minutes after that. Catherine was so, so very cute, when she did that, and even if she'd done something really stupid that Jace didn't approve of, it was always difficult to chastise her. Anyway now that Catherine could see out of her right eye, it made the situation even more difficult, a simple matter of eye contact with those ice blues and her green ones were captured forever.
Now, Lisa was heading in her direction and Jake in the opposite towards the stables. Catherine had taken up Jake's relinquished possession of Elena and she was now held aloft on top of broad shoulders and Jace caught her breath at the sight. Small hands that tugged were swirling around raven hair on the tall frame and Jace grimaced at the obvious pain it must be causing her partner. Elena's own hair which, was practically the same shade as her playmate's was moving about her head with the small gusts of wind that had appeared a hour ago, the breeze cooling down the otherwise dry and hot day. Elena was filling out perhaps a little too much but she did have an appetite to be proud of, as Catherine would say indulgently and winked in her direction. Anyone seeing the child and woman together would assume they were mother and daughter, although in all the important things in life that was the case, in truth, Catherine was not biologically related to the child at all.
Lisa bounded up the short steps towards Jace and breathlessly dropped next to her chair on her knees a grin on the child's face. She was infectious, this child, in many ways, her love was fathomless.
Jace turned to the child and gave her a smile back. "So, what are you all planning out there?"
Lisa giggled and gave Jace a hug and a kiss on the cheek. "Nothing, really Jace, but you know Catherine, and Christmas."
"Yep, I'm certainly beginning too," came the soft reply, as she turned her gaze back to her laughing partner, who was steadily moving towards them.
"Catherine is taking us to town this afternoon and she says it's a surprise." Lisa said, her tongue in her cheek as she considered if Jace was invited also.
"Great! I have to help Faith this afternoon with the final arrangements for Christmas Eve. So, that will be a nice surprise when you get back." Jace smiled at the girl and held her breath as Catherine mounted the steps to the porch and came within close scrutiny range.
Lisa scrambled up and was given a playful pat on the head as she headed for the kitchen, and with Lisa no doubt, the promise of food and the special festive cookies that both Grace and Judy loved to cook up. If it were up to those two, everyone in the household would be packing at least an extra ten pounds easily. Fortunately the two older children had quite active lifestyles and she and Catherine had taken the gym to heart in more ways than one. Elena was perhaps paying the price, but she would lose it soon enough, she was certainly active enough.
Jace turned her green gaze to that of her partners ice blue one and they exchanged a loving glance, words un-necessary between them. "I hear you're going into town later, any particular reason?"
Catherine gave her a wry smile as she helped Elena from her shoulders and handed the lively bundle over to her mother. "Mmm.....I might and then again, I might not. Depends, why are you asking?"
Jace looked into the smiling face of her daughter and was initially stopped from answering as Faith chose that moment to come onto the porch. "Ah, so there she is! Come on Elena let's go and see what Judy has for lunch shall we?" Faith looked towards Jace for approval and Jace smiled and handed over her daughter, who chuckled as she was held in the comforting hold of her surrogate grandmother.
Catherine had moved away from them as Faith arrived and was currently leaning on the railings, watching the exchange with a small smile playing around her lips. It never ceased to amaze her that Jace was so amiable about giving up her daughter. Yet, the indulgent young mother never looked annoyed at having so many people interested in taking over her child for hours at a time in some instances. Faith went through the door towards the kitchen and that left Catherine and Jace alone.
Jace looked over at the negligent stance of her lover, it brought a smile of possession over her face as she once again relished the power of having the woman in front of her look at her with such raw emotion, it was breathtaking. "Just interested in what my family is up to, especially, when I have to do other things." Jace continued their previous conversation before the interruption from Faith.
Catherine gave a low gravely sound from her throat that set Jace's heart beating erratically. "Oh this and that, but I promise to keep them out of trouble, especially the little one." Catherine gave her a grin.
Jace knew that Catherine wouldn't let anything happen to the children and there would always be a ranch hand around to help, Catherine couldn't after all drive, she still only had vision in one eye. "I see. Who's going to keep you out of trouble though?" Jace raised her green glance to capture the ice blue one above her, signals passing between them at a force that set both women's hearts beating faster.
"Oh, well I think I can muster up a volunteer, if I need to don't you? The boy we set on a few weeks ago, appears to be taken with me, perhaps he can keep an eye on me?" Catherine gave Jace an innocent look as she noticed the blonde's body bristle at the comment.
"You will do no such thing Catherine! He's a boy leave him alone or....." Catherine swiftly moved closer to the chair that held her partner and dropped down in front of her and cupped Jace's head between her large gentle hands.
Jace was mesmerised by the look of affection and amusement from the ice blue that held her green eyes. "Or what, my love?" effectively silencing any answer with a kiss of passion.
Eventually surfacing, Jace shook her head at the action and rested her forehead on her partners. "I love you Catherine, no one gets to keep an eye on you and if they ever did, I would volunteer, okay?"
Catherine quirked her left eyebrow at the statement, she knew that Jace had chosen the words to indicate that she was still a free spirit, but that an invisible cord had been attached to them. It made Catherine wonder if she would be so magnanimous, if Jace bantered her in such a way? Not bloody likely! 'I already watch you like a hawk Jace Bardley, I wonder if you know that! I also wonder if it bothers you that I get jealous when you smile at some of the young ranch hands and they flirt with you and you respond as you always would in a friendly manner.' "Yeah you're the only one I would allow to keep an eye on me and you can do that anytime my love, anytime at all."
"Then let's see if eye contact brings about contact elsewhere shall we?" Jace looked directly into the ice blue eyes and gently pulled away a little to allow her to see Catherine's expression.
"Jace, did anyone tell you that the simplest words from you, could be the sexiest, I've ever heard?" Catherine gave her a rakish look as the blonde considered the words and smiled wolfishly back.
"Yeah, I think someone once did, but for the life of me, I can't remember her name." Jace gave a giggle that had Catherine grinning from ear to ear.
"In that case, I think its time for a refresher course," with that Catherine moved into not only close eye contact, but mouth and upper body contact as well, it would be sometime before they surfaced to allow anyone or anything to disturb them.
**********
Chapter Seven:
Lisa had the most amazing expression on her face, as they looked at all the alpine trees cut and ready for the Christmas festivities.
Catherine had wanted to indulge her Christmas spirit with the children last year, but circumstances and her physical condition had decreed that they use an artificial tree. This year was always going to be different, Catherine had been planning the purchase of the largest tree she could find that would fit in the house; they were going to trim it together, as a family!
Catherine's own memories of the event had always been powerful and entirely happy;
nothing had tarnished the festivities for her, even when she'd been bitten by the business
bug that had separated her from her family for most of the year. Adam had so enjoyed the
couple of days that Catherine had always allowed for the time of the year; she recalled
the last one, when Lucas had been four years old.
The house in the respectable London suburb was alight with twinkling lights in numerous colours and patterns, from the windows, which had lights doing a merry dance around the frame. The three-foot snowman set in the front of the garden was brightly lit against the dark night sky. Then to cast the image in your imagination forever, a three-foot high Santa and sleigh full of presents being pulled by the reindeers. That appeared to glow in the inky darkness of the night. It was cold and Catherine was sure that ice, if not snow, must be forecast as she alighted from her taxi and paid the driver as he handed over her small case, indicating the stay as short.
Catherine stood and pondered the scene for a few moments before she opened the gate that led to the path of the front of the house. As her steps made a crunching noise on the gravel surface, she heard voices at the front door as it was opened hurriedly and she was suddenly engulfed by a small tornado. Lucas was wrapped around her to ensure that she didn't disappear, it was at this time that she felt the palpable hurt she inflicted on her child at her absence. 'One day they would be together.'
"Hey, Baby, you have a kiss for mama?" Catherine picked up her son who smiled into the features that clearly stamped her own mark on her son; he looked like her brother in lots of ways.
"Yes!" the child replied, wrapping his arms around his mother and gave her several sloppy kisses as she basked in the pure innocent affection of her son.
Catherine looked beyond her son and saw Adam looking at the scene with a gentle look that had affection, love and tenderness rolled into one glance, their glances locked and she gave him a wry smile of affection. "I see you've added to the scene this year, it looks great."
Adam gave her a warm smile and nodded his head. "Yes, Lucas insisted that his mommy would be upset if we didn't have the most lights on the block, guess he was right."
Catherine gave an appreciative laugh and looked back at her son. "Are these all for me Lucas or do you like them too?" Catherine kissed her son, and hugging his small body close to her in quiet appreciation of the love of her child.
Lucas looked at her with the grey eyes that he'd inherited from his father; they looked wise beyond their years. "Mama you know you love the toys and tree and everything about Christmas, but I do too!" the child chuckled and hugged his mother closer.
Catherine had tears welling in the corners of her eyes, it was times like this that the business could kiss her arse, and she didn't give a damn, but it never lasted. "How about we get inside and show mama the tree Lucas?"
Adam noticed the emotional charge coming from his wife and he knew she wouldn't want Lucas to think she was upset in any way, that wasn't Catherine's way, never had been.
The child almost screamed his agreement into Catherine's ears as she gave Adam a nod of acknowledgement; he'd always understood her even when she hadn't understood herself. Adam moved forward, picked up her bag as she continued to hold onto the limpet that clung to her as they walked inside the house.
After dispensing with her outside coat from the cold chill of the London weather, Catherine was being tugged towards the lounge and as Lucas opened the door and they entered together. Catherine let out a sigh as she saw the seven-foot alpine decked out in a multitude of toys, ribbons and baubles that had either been purchased recently or handed down from her family. It was a tradition with her family that the Christmas toys would be part of the heritage and every year each member of the family bought another toy to enhance the collection.
"Mommy, we saved the new toys for when you arrived. Daddy said you would like that," her son gave her an infectious smile and held onto her hand.
"Yeah, I think that's a great idea. Thanks Adam and before you both ask yes I brought one too." Catherine gave them both a dazzling smile. It would have been difficult to create the image that the woman in the room had only arrived less than half an hour earlier; it was as if they had never been separated.
"Do you want to freshen up before the hanging of our final baubles, or carry on?'' Adam saw the childish pout that came over Catherine's face at that question? 'Guess not huh?" He smiled and passed over a small package to Lucas and held one of his own.
Catherine pulled out a small package of her own and they all looked at each other as to who would go first. "You first Lucas." Catherine smiled at the child.
Lucas turned a dazzling smile that matched Catherine's in every way towards his parents and held up a rocking horse with a sleeping child on its back. It was made of wood; the horse was a chestnut brown with a gold harness about its mouth and body. The child was a small boy asleep in a white long nightshirt, holding with one hand onto the reigns of the horse and in the other had a small stocking ready for Christmas presents. The boy went forward and reached up to place the toy in a spot, which was empty, only he wasn't tall enough and turned in frustration to his father. "Let me." Catherine pleaded softly and walked towards her son and lifted him the few inches he needed to claim his area.
Adam moved forward at that moment as Catherine gently lowered the boy to the soft carpet and held him in a loose hold around the shoulders. Adam's toy was two-inch tin soldier repellent in a dark blue uniform; full of gold braid he hung it on the opposite side of tree to Lucas's toy.
Both males turned to Catherine "Your turn," they said in unison.
Catherine fingered her toy; it was a blown glass bauble that depicted a snow scene with two children throwing snowballs at each other. She placed the object in the middle of the tree, and then took a backward pace as she gave the tree a once over for effect. Catherine frowned at the missing piece she noticed and just as she was about to comment a small hand placed an object in her hand, glancing down she saw the porcelain faced Angel which had been her mother's. She fingered it gently in loving memory of her family, until she turned to her son, who was gently tugging on her sleeve.
"Mommy, only you know how she goes on top of the tree, so Daddy and I thought we'd better wait."
Tears she had previously held in check now made a slow trail down her cheeks. Yeah, this was the spirit of Christmas all right. Not having any words, she stood on the small step that Adam had moved for her to complete the task and placed the final piece of the puzzle on top of the tree. Finally finished, they all stood back to admire the view; it was a wondrous scene with all the colours, different toys and baubles that cast a glow with the lights that shed shadow and brightness to different areas of the tree.
"Next year we better get a bigger tree Daddy, or we won't have space for the new toys will we?" Lucas gave them both a grin.
"Sure son, we can do that. What do you say Catherine?" Adam gave her a reassuring smile as she glanced his way suspiciously.
"Definitely next year we need a taller tree." She gave them both a warm smile as they watched the tree for several moments together as a family
.
Catherine came out of her revere as Jake tapped on her arm for attention. "Sorry Jake, what's the problem?" Catherine said absently, her mind trying to bring itself back into the present.
"Elena is pulling the needles from the tree over there and poking them at Lisa; she doesn't like it." Jake said quietly, he'd been watching his guardian for several moments and the differing expressions that had travelled across her face before he'd got her attention, but she hadn't looked sad at any time.
Catherine looked over at her daughters and noticed that Elena, although, safely in her baby stroller was indeed tormenting the elder child. Lisa was getting close to doing something about it and a baby with a black eye from 'slugger' Lisa was something that Catherine wasn't about to go back home and face Jace with, no way!
"Hey, how's it going Princess, have you found our tree yet?" Catherine placed a gentle hand on Lisa's shoulder and gave it a comforting squeeze as she managed to manoeuvre herself between the two of them.
"No!" Muttered Lisa and she walked away towards Jake, obviously upset.
Catherine looked at the retreating small back and considered what would get Lisa's happy countenance back, turning she looked at the baby who was seconds away from inflicting the same pain on the tall woman, that she had Lisa. "Hey little one, cut it out or your Mommie is going to be mad at you."
Green eyes gave her an affronted look at the serious tone from her tall playmate. The child then tried to put the needle in her mouth and Catherine quickly stopped her and moved her out of reach of the tree. 'This child of theirs was a nightmare at times, Jace was going to have to teach her that trees couldn't be eaten or used as weapons.'
Turning towards the two older children, she saw them looking at a tree with smiles wreathed all over their faces. 'Looks like we found our tree.' Catherine pushed the stroller with the baby towards them; ten minutes later they were on their way towards the shops and the selection of a new toy for each of them for the tree. The tree would be loaded up on the Land Rover while they continued to shop. The rest of the afternoon was relatively sedate after that especially, as Elena went to sleep. Catherine decided that the other two children deserved ice cream for putting up with the babies somewhat unorthodox use of pine needles. It was kind of funny though, when you thought about it.
**********
Chapter Eight:
Jace watched in fascination as Catherine marshalled them all into action of the trimming of the tree. They had prudently decided that Elena was going to stay in her playpen and watch rather than join in, well at this moment anyway.
As the hours slipped by, and it came close to bedtime for the children the tree was filling up nicely and Jace had enjoyed the family atmosphere that was created as they all helped with the decorations. Catherine was by far the most excited, and even when the tree toppled over twice. And she was pinned under it for the time it took the rest of them to rescue her, it hadn't shaken her obvious enjoyment of the event.
Now, they were on the last toys, the new ones the children had purchased in town that day. Jace had been informed of this ritual by Lisa and Jake one evening the previous week and she'd been totally disarmed at her partner's continuance of a tradition that she thought, must have ended when she'd left her old life behind. Not so, even Grace had been party to this odd tradition and she would be along shortly with her bauble.
"Who goes first?" the children asked, their eyes alight with the prospect of being first to put their toys on the tree.
Jace looked at Catherine, who appeared to have a far off look in her eyes, a memory obviously invading her at that moment. She didn't look upset; perhaps wistful would be the correct expression. Walking over to Catherine, she placed her hand inside one of her larger ones and looked up at her partner. "Who goes first Catherine?" Jace repeated softly as the two older children looked at them in eager anticipation.
Catherine glanced down at the hand that held hers steadfast and strong and she sighed and turned a warm smile on them all, 'Ladies first, I think Jake what do you say?"
Jake gave her a grin and a shrug of his shoulders. "Okay, all yours Lisa," as the girl gave a whoop of joy and went to place her snowman on the lower branches of the tree. It wobbled precariously for several seconds and then settled down in its selected place.
Jake looked towards Catherine and Jace as Jace moved away from Catherine and went towards the tree. Catherine gave her a quizzical look, she hadn't mentioned anything, so how did Jace know? She had been going to share hers with her partner and the baby.
Jace placed her ice skater in the middle of the tree, it spun around as it found it's direction, and then she turned towards Catherine, her smile one of indulgent affection.
"I didn't know you knew about this Jace?" Catherine whispered, as her partner gave her a hug.
"I know. That's what made it all the more special. You, my friend are very special and I know that your family be it old or new, think that also." Jace placed a gentle hand to the back of her neck and tugged Catherine's head down for a quick, gentle kiss.
Jake snorted and muttered, he thought it might be his turn, but stopped quickly when the door opened and in walked Grace, Colin and Faith. The two older women chuckled and motioned for him to take his turn at the tree.
Jake had a brass horn, which he tried, to place on an exposed branch, but it was too high for him, he turned pleading eyes towards Colin for help, but just as Colin moved forward, Catherine placed a hand on his arm. "No, let me please."
Hoisting the child the few inches needed to perform the task she was awash with her memories of the last time she'd held a dark boy aloft. Just as she settled him down on the floor, Catherine gave Jake a warm hug and kissed him on the cheek as he turned a beetroot colour at the affection from his guardian.
Everyone in the room watched the display with equal surprise and affection. Grace placed her glass swan on the tree next, and then Faith placed a fairy on the opposite side of her daughter's ornament. Colin looked at the toboggan in his hand, smiling as he placed it high in the tree.
Catherine went over to a frustrated baby, who was rattling the poles of the playpen for not being able to join in the fun. "Your turn little one." Picking the child up from the playpen and bringing her close to the tree, holding her at shoulder height, she spoke to her youngest daughter. "You get to share mine, Elena," then Catherine produced a white rocking horse with a sleeping girl on it's back; it mirrored the one her son had placed on the last tree they had together. Elena helped a little to place the toy on the tree. By coincidence, it was opposite the original one her son had bought, how very fitting. she thought.
"Now the angel, Catherine." Lisa piped up as she watched Catherine turn and tenderly handed Elena to Jace.
Catherine gently removed the angel from the tissue; it was nestled in and tenderly fingered the object with love and affection. It held such memories for examination, but once a year, she was grateful her memories were all good at this particular time of the year. Looking around the room she knew that with the new family she had, it was only ever going to be that way.
"Who wants the privilege?" Catherine asked the quietly waiting family and friends in the room.
Everyone looked in her direction, smiling they all replied in unison, "You!"
Catherine gave them a grin, moved towards the tree and went up the stepladder and placed the angel at the top of the tree, the place of pride. As she walked back towards her family and friends, Colin turned the light off in the main room as they all looked at the well-lit tree and the effect of its decoration.
Jace was standing next to Catherine, her hands full with their youngest daughter and the two older children clasping Catherine's hands as they all contemplated the sight before them. Colin had his arms around Grace and Grace held her mothers hand in quite appreciation of the wonders of this festive time of the year.
Several minutes later, Grace had the two older children shepherded towards the bathroom and Faith had Elena in hand as they trouped out, with Colin going towards the kitchen and the cookies he was becoming addicted to.
As the door closed behind the departing family and friends, only the two lovers remained in the room. Jace gently placed her hand in Catherine's and clasped it in quiet understanding as she noticed that her partner had drifted away on another memory.
Catherine brought up Jace's hand to her mouth as she caressed the fingers with soft lips. "I love you Jace Bardley, thank you for indulging me."
Jace looked up into the ice blues she loved and gave her a watery smile. "I love you also Catherine, and if this is the power of indulging you, then please let me indulge you more."
"It's memories like these that make everything worth while, did you know that? I want to share all the rest of my Christmas's with you Jace." Catherine placed a gentle finger down her cheek and tenderly let it be kissed.
"Yes, darling, memories like this are worth while, and you and I and the rest of our family and friends will see to it that we have lots more, that my beloved, I'm going to guarantee you." Jace turned her head up for a caring kiss, as they gazed at each other for several moments before Catherine finally finished.
"I don't need guarantees Jace, I just need you!" Catherine then drew her partner into a deep sensuous embrace, holding the smaller woman gently around the waist with her left hand as her right hand slowly unbuttoned the green silk blouse Jace had worn tonight, just for her. Catherine's lips moved down the pulsating neck and nibbled gently on the now moaning shorter woman's throat. Jace breathing became shallow and short, with decisive moaning sounds, slowly escaping the blond woman's lips as Catherine's sensuously moved down the pulsating throat and proceeded to nibble the flesh of the sumptuous shoulder to the sensitive collar bone of her young lover. These ministrations causing the knees of the shorter woman to slowly give way. Catherine held the keeper of her heart in a tighter hold, continuing her nibbling and carefully lowered her beloved to the plush, thick carpet covering the lounge floor. Jace fastened both hands into the raven-hair and drew the darker woman's mouth to hers. And for the next several hours, Catherine passionately demonstrate exactly how much her young lover was needed and why. If you passed the lounge door, you would have heard numerous, as well as bountiful, gently intakes of breath and an occasional, "Oh, Catherine."
**********
Jake was looking at the Christmas tree, and it had been decorated the week before. He
stared at it's lights, with and the patterns, and glow that showered in every direction.
It had fragments of light that gave the impression that the whole array was a figment of
the imagination, wondered if it would disappear, if you shut your eyes long enough. He was
waiting for Lisa to finish her bath and have Catherine bring her down for the story hour.
It was their ritual and made him smile at how the small redhead had persuaded Catherine to
execute this task every evening she was home. Catherine had always been good to them, but
at this time of the year, a different Catherine appeared, one who relished the season and
made everyone around her participate in all conceivable activities, she could call to
mind. Frequently, his guardian had often commented, that living in Europe at this time of
year was better suited for the festivities. He had listened, avidly to a conversation that
Catherine had undertaken with Jace only that morning from a slightly open door to the
study.
"Jace there's nothing like experiencing snowing and going tobogganing down the hills and valleys in Europe." Catherine said petulantly as she looked out at the bright sunlight of the warm summer day that heralded Christmas in this part of the world.
Jace smiled at her partner, giving her a rueful look. "Catherine, how many years is it since you last saw snow at Christmas?"
Catherine looked a little despondent at the remark. 'How long had it been?' "I suppose six maybe seven years," she finally responded.
"Darling you could have gone on holiday to Europe and experienced all the excitement you say you miss in that period of time, why didn't you?" Jace gave her a long thoughtful look, her green eyes never leaving the captured ice blue turned towards her.
Catherine frowned at the question, 'you know why Bardley.' "I guess I never had anyone to share the joy of the moment with me," her voice forlorn and wistful.
Jace managed to smile at the words, although, she felt the sting of tears at the back of her eyes at the simple admission. Catherine had wealth, status and yet for year's she had sought a loneliness that defeated all those trappings they had become simply worthless. "Oh, is that all! Catherine, you do realise, that now you have three children to help you out on that one?"
Catherine noted the missing party in the equation and it brought a look of consternation on her face. "What about you?" She whispered.
Jace linked her hand in one of Catherine's larger ones and gently clasped it. "Me? Oh, you forget Catherine, I'm Californian, I'm used to this weather for the festivities, something tells me I'd freeze to death if you had a choice of destination." Jace laughed up into the face that had cleared of its lack of confidence over her previous answer.
"Yeah, Californian, I forget. Tell me are all Californians like you and enjoy the warmth over the possibilities of a good old fashioned cold snap?" Catherine gave her a lopsided smile that reflected her teasing in the right eye that was now sighted.
"We have our cold snaps Catherine! Come now, were not totally cosseted from the weather extremes, but we do prefer it warmer rather than colder." Jace reached up her right hand and stroked Catherine's left cheek gently, the small scars feeling like a trace outline to her touch.
"I often wondered how you put up with the weather here, after living your whole life in that climate?" Catherine had pondered this question and had wanted to ask, but feared to do so, if it brought about an answer she wasn't prepared to deal with.
"Mmmm I've often wondered too,' Jace saw the shadow of, was it fear? Pass briefly over Catherine's face as she answered. 'Catherine you live her. Where else in the world would I want to be?" Jace saw the joy that answer produced over her partner's often-expressionless visage.
Catherine brought Jace's hand to her lips and kissed the fingers reverently. "You say the simplest, but quite the most considerably eloquent words that anyone has ever said to me, do you know that?"
Jace chuckled and snuggled closer to her partner, who put her arms around her and hugged her in warmth, companionship and love. "I hope, I'm the only one whoever gets the opportunity, I could get jealous you know?"
"Never, ever, get jealous Jace, you're the one the only one who will ever reach me and play havoc with my heart and soul. I thought you knew that?" Catherine disconcerted, was Jace having doubts about her commitment?
"I knew! I know, Catherine, I was just making sure you never forget it." Jace said gently and turned around in Catherine's arms to face her.
"Never! This is forever and beyond, but if I decided to move to the North Pole, do you think you'd come?" Catherine laughed at the look of surprise on Jace's face and was immediately engulfed in a passionate kiss to convince her.
Eventually, they released each other from the embrace and rested their foreheads together in quiet appreciation of their mutual happiness. "You can always produce the warmest igloo in the North Pole, then, hey, presto! I'm right there, Catherine." Jace giggled and was once again taken into an embrace that left both women breathless as it finished.
"Next year then, a colder climate for sure." Catherine responded and was given a playful smack on her behind for her presumptuous comment.
Jake had turned a lovely shade of crimson, as the private conversation came to end and he sidled away from the door, with a watching Rio, looking at him from black eyes with what appeared to Jake to be a look of complete understanding at his predicament.
**********
Chapter Nine:
It was two days before the wedding on Christmas Eve, everything had been arranged. Even, Faith was now finally convinced, that her daughter would be ready for the event.
Jace had been a remarkable help with the preparations and more importantly the diffusion of any antagonism between mother and daughter! That particular task had taken it's toll on them all at some stage or other, Grace didn't like all the pomp and ceremony and Faith wanted her eldest daughter to have all the trimmings. She had finally used blackmail to pursued Grace. Saying that her father would be turning in his grave that a daughter of his hadn't opted for the traditional wedding, Grace had just looked up into the heavens and smote a hand to her forehead and agreed with everything from there on in. Well, at least until the wedding dress fittings, that had been a mean task to keep Grace in one place long enough for them to finally agree upon the finishing measurements. It had taken a few friendly caustic remarks by Catherine to Grace to trap her at the shop long enough to complete the feat; Catherine had been useful that day, but otherwise stayed clear of the machinations that went on around her. She often took her beloved Tralargon for long rides over the hills; often accompanied by the children at the weekends or the early evening. She might not be in a position to drive a vehicle, but she could certainly ride her horse, the authorities couldn't take that away from her.
Jace and Catherine would be glad when the wedding was over and they could just celebrate the festivities with their friends. Then they could plan their own simple event for the New Year. It was a new century, a new millennium no less and they were going to celebrate it in the most glorious way they knew how. A statement publicly of their love for each other and the bonding of their family as a single unit; this would be the final element to their lives together.
Jace watched in fascination as Catherine vaulted her tall frame into the saddle on Tralargon for her afternoon ride, it was a marvellous sight the magnificent powerful horse that waited patiently for its mistress to join her, it was almost as if they became one. You could hear the click of heels and the crunch of hoofs on the gravel drive, as they manoeuvred towards the paddock and the egress to the open fields. They looked superb together and it brought back memories to Jace of her first encounter with the enigmatic owner of 'Destiny' that cold rainy afternoon. She'd looked good that day, also. Jace knew it had been the first glance from those ice blue eyes, which had captured her heart and sent it on it's way to the destination it craved, Catherine Warriorson and all that entailed.
Jace had often wondered how her life would have turned out, if she had known that Catherine was also her 'enemy' Catherine Devonshire, the ruthless owner of Xianthos. That particular event had taken place after she'd fallen deeply and unequivocally in love with Catherine. Even so, it had caused a rift and now she was grateful for the omission by Catherine, because Jace felt sure that she wouldn't be here now, looking at the retreating back of her lover, who had given her everything her heart desired, and oh, so much more!
What of Catherine, would she still be reclusive? Perhaps!
Would she have let those two bright and wonderful children into her heart? Maybe not! Hadn't Catherine admitted that it had only been Jace's breaking down the barriers that had let the children inside?
Would they be due to celebrate a wedding on the property? Hard to say and highly doubtful!
Grace had once said it was hard to define your destiny, how right that was, a simple omission had led to events so unforeseen it was out of a storybook. Jace was sure she was living a fictional novel at times. Tragedy, hatred, jealousy had all reared their ugly head, but had been over powered by the greater emotions of caring, compassion, happiness and love.
Finally, there was Elena her daughter, who was now eight months old and becoming a terror as each day dawned. Jace was sure she hadn't been such a handful. She was certain Peter Adamson couldn't have been either; he had always come over as the gentle type. Her daughter certainly wouldn't be in existence that was for sure; it was amazing how many golden opportunities had transpired out of what had appeared to be desolate circumstances. One thing for sure she needed to call her folks it was time and she'd been remiss not to do so earlier. Tonight, she would ask Catherine to sit with her as she made the call. She needed the quiet support from her partner, and Catherine could always be relied upon to give the most wonderful support.
'Yep! A close encounter with Catherine Warriorson was most definitely worth anything else that life had to offer.' Jace chuckled at the thought and went towards the kitchen; Judy had arrived back from her short visit with her family. Although, they had insisted that she could stay over the holidays with her family, Judy had declined, saying after all she'd gone through in the preparations of the wedding, she was certainly not going to miss it, that was for sure. Funny how people seemed to become attached to Destiny, regardless of some of the unhappy events that had happened in the past six months.
Jace gave a second look over her shoulder at the tiny speck on the horizon and smiled, 'Yes! I'm sure glad that the X had not been mentioned that first day.'
**********
Catherine had taken every opportunity to ride with Tralargon once she had gained her sight back in her right eye. It was something she had sorely missed. As intrepid as her determination had been when she was blind, her heart had often shed a tear or two at the loss of this particular pastime. For her, it was a part of her very essence; Tralargon had become more of a silent friend and shoulder to cry on over the five years she had sought a reclusive state.
As she neared Cutters Ridge, she reigned in the mare towards the burial area that held her deceased family, 'had it really been six years since their deaths?'
Dismounting the mare, the tall stoic woman tethering the beloved animal at the nearby oak tree, which was growing well in this beautiful area of the property. Catherine looked at the twenty-foot waterfall that was a centrepiece of the plot she had chosen for her family. Walking over the trim grass that was diligently cut by the children once a month, especially in the summer months, she removed her gloves and placed a hand on the stone that held the epitaph for her son.
Sitting down on the lush green grass, she placed her elbows on her thighs and held her head in quiet contemplation.
"Lucas you would have loved your new family, as much as I. Lisa is a handful but so loving and she would have caused you many a heart searching at her comments and activities. We call her slugger because she punched a young man at school. I know we shouldn't encourage that, and we don't really, but she was defending herself. I think in this day and age there is a always going to be that fine line we all have to cross from time to time to ensure we're not used deplorably in this world. Jake on the other hand is totally different in personality. He's very caring and loves soccer, maybe that would have been something you would have had in common? Elena is the baby of the family; quite frankly, I'm not sure what to say about her! We haven't been able to understand her yet, but she's a terror that's for sure. It's going to be an enlightening experience bringing that child up, but she's worth it. She is after all her mother's daughter and Lucas I love her mother quite beyond explanation. Everyday I wake up, I thank god that she came into my life and made it her mission in life to stay beside me, regardless of the problems. You'd like her Lucas; she has the most compassionate nature I've ever met in my life and when you look into her green eyes you lose all sense of reality and she makes you feel safe held in her gaze. It's strange really, that fate decreed that for me to fall in love I would have to lose everything I held dear to my heart and I did my son, I lost you and to the end of my days I will always regret that! The only thing that kept me from following you was that you had daddy to watch over you. I know deep in my heart that my mother will be there, also. As well as my brother and I think surprisingly enough, my father too. I just wanted you to know that no matter where I am in the world, or what changes I've made to my life, I will never ever forget you. You are irreplaceable in my heart, my son." Catherine dashed a tear away from her left cheek, she might not see out of that eye, but it sure leaked the most!
Turning to a side she looked at her husband's headstone and gave it a wry smile. "Irony of all ironies huh Adam? There was, I ridiculing you over your soulmate theory, and whoops, here I am, sure that I've found mine. I think you would have liked Jace, Adam. She has your naivety of people, which is both endearing and annoying. In you it annoyed me. In her it endears me to her more, and more, and all I want is to protect that image she has and keep it safe for her. Guess I fell well and hard wouldn't you say? In life Adam, you and I would have been a tolerable couple at best. But Jace completes everything that is good and bad in me. It's difficult to explain and I'm not going too; it defies explanation and that's how it should always be this feeling of love! Who wants to dissect the emotion? Isn't it better to let it wash over you and just feel? That's what I'm doing now, Adam I'm feeling, as I've never ever allowed myself to before. Even in the hard times and the harshness this world brings forth from time to time, I know that her love is out there for me and together or apart it binds us as one and I'm never letting it go. Yes, you would have liked her, but I guess hated her also, as she can make me feel all the emotions you wanted to bring out in me. With a glance from her green eyes, she can turn the frozen Catherine Warriorson into a puddle before your very eyes; that I'm sure would amuse you." Catherine smiled wryly at her wayward thoughts, and then pulled on her leather gloves.
"Time to move on Tralargon, in more ways than one." Catherine said to the mare as she vaulted effortlessly on her back and they headed back towards the ranch.
**********
Chapter Ten:
Jace was sitting in the large high-backed leather armchair in the lounge listening to the dark rich tones of Catherine telling a story to the two older children. Elena was asleep in her arms and quite content. Faith had been prised from her daughter to go into town with Judy for a break from the ranch before the events descended on them starting tomorrow as relatives and friends of the couple began arriving in town. Alison, Grace's sister was due to arrive in the early hours of the morning, Catherine's personal helicopter had been put on standby to pick her up as she landed from a flight from Saudi Arabia. It had been touch and go that she was able to get home on time. Frank her pilot had confirmed that he would drop Alison at the local airport at two a.m. Colin had decided to pick her up himself. She was after all going to be his sister in law and what better way of getting acquainted than a trip back to the ranch. Although, Catherine had nearly choked on her tea at this comment over breakfast, when had Colin been particularly talkative on a drive home, she had to wonder. Jace had thumped her on the back in a supportive gesture, but a little harder than Catherine expected and she'd looked at her partner aggrieved, but was quickly thrown into confusion at the look of love she received, that made up for anything, anything at all!
Grace was going over details of the honeymoon with Colin, or at least that's what she'd implied. Jace had smirked at the comment, having been given a playful tap on the shoulder for her pains from Grace.
Outside, the ranch was quiet, the air around them had an ethereal quality about it, as if, the ranch itself knew that it was about to be turned upside down in the wake of the wedding.
Catherine was so engrossed in her story telling, she failed to notice Jace watching her with a blissful expression on her face. It was sometime later when she called a halt to the story, which a sigh went up around the room. "What?" Catherine asked perplexed at the action of her audience, blushing slightly at Jace's regard from her corner of the room.
"Catherine, we wanted more. It's going to be busy for the next few days, you might not get a chance to finish the story for ages!" Lisa said, with a pout giving her a less than angelic expression.
Catherine shook her head and her shoulder length raven hair cascaded around her like a mist. "Ages Lisa? It's only going to be a few days, and we will finish it, trust me."
"Can't we take the book to read in bed tomorrow Catherine?" Jake asked her innocently and gave her his best behaviour smile.
That kid was definitely learning how to get around ladies, that was for sure; god help them when he was a teenager and breaking all the young girls hearts, just as she was sure Lisa would do the same with the men. Mind you, there were also other possibilities and variables living in this household and that made her chuckle. "You find that funny Catherine?" Jace asked her, puzzled at the unexpected chuckle from her partner at the child's suggestion.
"No! No, I was thinking about something else, totally unrelated sorry!" Catherine did turn a slight shade of red at being caught daydreaming.
"Mmmm......now, I wonder what? Do you care to enlighten us?" Jace saw her look up furtively and shook her head. "Well, in that case I suggest you answer our son's question." Jace gave her a wry smile.
Jake was watching the interchange between the adults; Lisa was fidgeting with the hem of her nightdress. "Well, it's like this Jake I could give you the book to read but....." all eyes went towards Catherine at her prevarication.
"But what?" Lisa asked, impatient to know what the problem was.
Catherine wiped a hand across her brow, 'hell she'd been caught out again.' "I made it up, okay!" Catherine finally admitted.
All three of them stared at Catherine in astonishment and wonder.
"You made it up?" Jace asked her voice taking on an awed quality.
"Yes, is that so bad?" Catherine looked towards the patio window hoping it would open and let her fly out like the little dragon that she had made up in the story.
Jace swiftly got up from the deep recesses of her comfortable chair and placed Elena in the crib at her side. "Catherine, how could you think that? It's a wonderful talent and you do it so well too."
"Do you really think so?" Catherine asked tentatively, her heart started to hammer as she saw the look of immense pride from Jace.
Lisa put her hands around Catherine and hugged her in a bear hug that she was sure must have been from a giant, rather than a thin eight year old who you could metaphorically, knock down with a feather. "That's cool Catherine, just like the first story you ever told us."
"Yeah, just like the first time Lisa. So, sorry Jake, unless you want to make up your own conclusion to the story, it is after all in the imagination you know." Catherine tousled the boy's hair as he shook his head at her comment.
"Oh, no, I'm going to wait for you Catherine, it will be worth the wait." Jake gave her a hug around the knees, as he was sitting at her feet and always did when she resided in the room for any length of time.
"Fine! Well, I guess I'll try to get to the end as soon as possible, how about a short session on Christmas Eve to settle you down okay?" Catherine gave then a happy smile.
"Yeah!" Both children said in unison and were given a brilliant grin that only Catherine Warriorson transmitted.
"Come on now, time for bed before I get into trouble and the little dragon bites off more than she can chew." Catherine easily rose from her chair with Lisa, who she then slung over her shoulder as the child giggled with joy at this simple of attentions from their guardian.
Taking the stairs quickly, Catherine gently threw Lisa onto the bed and the child laughed as she rolled over and landed next to her medium sized teddy bear that Catherine had brought back from her last trip abroad. It was chocolate brown fluffy and a somewhat unkempt looking beast, but as Catherine had predicted to Jace, Lisa loved it at first sight. Catherine had the impression that her eldest daughter had a penchant for the stragglers in this life and that wasn't so bad. At least they had a chance to educate her to watch out for the people who prey on the good nature of others. That certainly wasn't going to happen to any of her children; they would have to go through her first! Lisa hugged the bear, then pulled back the bed covers and settled herself down, her smile infectious to the watching serious expression of her guardian.
Lisa held out her arms and Catherine smiled and walked over to the child. If anything happened to these children now, she wouldn't know what to do, it would break her heart. "Love you Catherine." Lisa whispered into her ear and gave her a warm wet kiss on the cheek.
Enfolding her in a warm hug, Catherine whispered back into the red hair of her eldest child. "I love you too Princess, never forget that." This simple affection from the child always embarrassed her, but she'd live.
Jace had followed them up to say goodnight and heard the quiet exchange between the two of them, 'how you've changed Catherine and how wonderful it is to see the love around you.' "Hey, you have any kisses left for me?" Jace laughed as she let Catherine compose herself and move away from the bed. Jace knew that Catherine found the child's easy affection difficult to deal with; between them they hadn't managed to quite breach all the stoic demeanour that she put forth to the world at large but time was on their side.
"Yeah!" Lisa shouted in glee as she spied her favourite guardian, Catherine was wonderful and made her feel safe, but Jace was like her mother, loving and warm to be around.
Catherine turned towards Jace briefly, smoothed her hair away from her eyes in a nervous gesture. "I'll be with Jake. Goodnight, sleep well Princess."
"Goodnight Catherine." The child responded as she was engulfed in a warm hug from Jace as Catherine left the room for the boy's.
Jake was looking out of the window of his bedroom; he had a serious look on his face as he contemplated the quiet scene. The horses had been stabled for the night. The men had been given time off earlier than normal and most of them had gone into town to celebrate the forthcoming nuptials of their boss. "Penny for your thoughts?" Catherine asked the boy as he slowly turned to look at her and gave her a shrug.
"Not worth any money Catherine; I was just thinking how peaceful it looks outside tonight." Jake responded without prompting.
Catherine walked over to the window as she contemplated the scene with him and smiled. "Yes, I guess it is." She put a gentle hand on his shoulder in understanding.
"How do you think up stories Catherine?" Jake asked her, his eyes going to hers in eager interest.
Catherine gave a low laugh and smiled her ice blue eyes taking on a warm glow of affection towards the boy. "Funny you should ask me that, I don't really know it happens, an idea comes into my head and suddenly 'Hey Presto' a story is born. Doesn't happen that often, so, it might be a while before you get another slice of my particular brand of storytelling again."
"I think even when I'm older I'm going to like your brand of story telling Catherine." Jake said earnestly.
Catherine laughed loudly at that comment. "Flattery will get you everywhere boy. Now, come on, into bed with you. We have some really busy days ahead of us and tomorrow is going to be special, but it's a secret so, don't you go saying anything okay?"
Jake smiled at her. "No, I won't say anything; you can trust me Catherine." Jake stated with quiet devotion.
"Aahh.....I have no doubts about that at all Jake, no doubts at all!" Catherine watched in gentle amusement Jake climb into bed, he was certainly getting taller. Catherine was sure that soon now this particular event would be a thing of the past, it was going to happen, but while it lasted she was going to enjoy tucking the boy into bed. She felt in some small way a connection to her own son with this simple ritual.
"Goodnight, Catherine, sleep well." Jake said quietly, as he watched her tall form bend down and place a light kiss on his forehead.
"Goodnight to you Jake, and you sleep well also." Catherine swiftly left the room, knowing that he would be up at least another hour watching something on his personal TV set or reading.
Jace was at the top of the stairs waiting for her partner to exit the room, Jake wasn't like Lisa, the only person he tolerated to say goodnight was Catherine, otherwise his bedroom was out of bounds, it often amazed her this simple rapport she had with the boy.
"How do you do that?" Jace asked her quietly.
"Do what?" Catherine raised her eyebrow in question as she reached Jace at the top of the stairs.
"You have a gift over that boy, do you know that?" Jace reached up and pulled Catherine's head down for a quick kiss.
"Mmmmmm that so, anyone else I have a gift with?" Catherine gave her a rakish smile.
"Oh! Yeah! Definitely you have a gift over me and what a wonderful feeling that is I can tell you." Jace answered breathlessly as they descend the stairs back towards the lounge and their youngest daughter, who was still happily in the arms of Morpheus.
Catherine followed her lover into the room and watched as Jace settled into the sofa that had become their private snuggle area once the children had gone to bed. "You going to join me?" Jace asked her, her voice taking on a suggestive tone.
"Might. Depends on what you have to offer me?" Catherine gave her a sardonic look that never went to her eyes; it was playful in its direction.
Jace laughed out loud at the audacious comment, this woman before her was too much, and way to beautiful. It was hard enough not to resist her in the normal day-to-day events at home, and now the raven-haired lover was teasing her. "I was kinda of hoping that you might hold my hand as I called my folks?" Jace replied tentatively.
Catherine quickly turned towards the patio window to hide her surprise at the comment. 'Shit they would be here tomorrow, how the hell am I going to stop this call without it causing Jace upset?' Catherine cleared her throat as she tried to respond.
"Is there a problem Catherine, we have had this conversation remember?" Jace was concerned at the silence that particular question had brought on Catherine.
"No, Jace far from it! I was kind of hoping that tonight, you and me a bottle of wine and perhaps if your willing an early night, to compensate for the next few days when all hell will be let loose, and we won't get much privacy. What do you say?" Catherine came over to the sofa and looked down at her lover with a look that Jace could have sworn was undressing her there and then, not that she minded; oh, no not, at all!
Jace held out her hand and smiled a sultry smile of her own at the look of primitive manoeuvring from Catherine. "You never cease to surprise me."
Catherine sank down into the depths of the sofa and tugged Jace onto her knee, capturing her in a hold that melted the two of them together as one. "Excellent, that means you're never going to get bored of me and leave huh?" Catherine's tone very playful and not accusing or mocking in anyway.
Jace turned in a forty-five degree angle and looked up into the ice blues of her lover and gave a wink of her green left eye. "How on earth could I get bored? Things happen much to fast here, or should I say, wherever you are my darling. It's going to be quite something watching you relax for a few weeks, when we go away together. It will be you, me and a long stretch of white sand and no one else around us for miles. Oh! Yes, that's certainly a dream that's going to come true for me real soon Catherine."
Catherine placed her larger hands around Jace's face and smiled into the naturally unguarded and innocent expression. "I love you Bardley and don't let anyone tell you different okay?"
Jace saw the tell tale look of anxiety at the words. Even now, it was there a brief glimpse into the profile of the once lonely woman, but there none the less, it was poignant and sad, but Jace had a remedy for that. "When would anyone dare tell me different Catherine? You are mine! Body and soul my love, and soon everyone that matters, is going to know that, right?"
Catherine let a single tear track its way down her cheek, "Yes, right." She then let her head drop to place her lips tenderly on her partners in a gesture of quiet affection, deep warmth and passionate love. They had ardour in abundance; sometimes the gentle approach often extolled the virtues of their love in a powerful conviction that fervour could never represent.
"So, we call my parents tomorrow, okay darling?" Jace looked at her with an adoring, glazed look in her eyes.
"You got that right Jace, tomorrow your parents, absolutely. Nothing will stop that, nothing at all, I guarantee that." Catherine grinned happily, thinking that was one guarantee that was pretty foolproof.
Jace gave her a quizzical look. "Catherine you sound so positive, if I didn't know better, I would say you are up to something?"
Catherine gave her a blasé look and quirked her left eyebrow to her forehead. "Jace really.....why ever would you get the impression that I'm planning something and about your parents too!" Catherine had been tempted to add that she'd never met Jace's parents so how could she, but that would be an outright lie, and she didn't want to lie to Jace, but a little prevarication wouldn't be too bad.
"You have the scheming look on your face that I've seen when you plan things with the children, usually good things I might add, but a plan that is often secret from me." Jace gave her a good-natured smile as she stroked the grey hair at each of Catherine's temples; it had fascinated her ever since she'd first encountered it when they were reunited almost a year ago. In fact, in a couple of weeks it would be a year ago that she'd returned to the ranch and started the only life she would ever want to experience, here with this woman at her side.
"Scheming Jace? I'm desolate that you think that about me!" Catherine smirked and watched the lines around the sparkling, green eyes in front of her crinkle in silent laughter.
"In that event, what do we do to console you, Catherine?" Jace looked deep into the ice blue eyes and saw them intensify in quickly developing passion. Her own heart started to race at the incredible possibilities now being transmitted to her with the sumptuous look from the tall, dark and gorgeous woman, who was consciously enticing her.
Catherine leaned in and captured Jace's lips in a sensuous exploration that left no doubt to either woman exactly what Catherinenhad in mind when it came to Jace consoling her. "Everyone is out, the kids are in bed, and Elena is in what can only be one of her mother's deep sleeps. What do you say we encourage an early night for us? You, know......resting a little for the activities of the next few days?"
Jace rested her forehead on her partners. "Oh, I'll accept the early night concept, but believe me Catherine, you won't be resting anytime soon."
Catherine gave her a low sexy laugh and was rewarded with a shiver from her partner in anticipation. "I see. Time to test the theory then."
Jace was pulled up out of the sofa and landed softly next to Catherine still held in her arms, her expression one of adoration. "Just one theory, huh?"
Catherine gave her a stimulating smile. "Oh! No, in my book one theory always leads to another and another and another......" She placed her arm around Jace shoulders and picked up the travel crib holding Elena.
Jace had her own arm around Catherine's waist and hugged her whispering into the bent ear as they exited the room. "I love you Catherine."
"Love you also, Jace," the words spoken with warmth, feeling and a deep conviction.
They went towards the stairs and the promise of a beautiful night.
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